Order of Operations Game

Edit 0 5 …

Order of Operations

  • A game where students use their new or prior knowledge of how the order of operations works. Students have the chance to show their skills by determining the equation for numbers 1-20, using only the number assigned to them and only using the number four times. The trick is, is that they can use any mathematical operation they know as long as the use them accordingly to the order of operations.

Content Standard: Number and Operations Process Standard: Problem Solving
Grade Level(s): 6th - 8th
Student Learning Objective:
  • Students will be able to write mathematical expressions using the order of operations to get a specific answer.
  • Students will be able to verbally describe their mathematical expressions and how they came up with it.

Here are the 6th and 8th grade EALRs/GLEs:
  • 6.2.D Apply the commutative, associative, and distributive properties, and use the order of operations to evaluate mathematical expressions.
  • 6.6.D Represent a problem situation, describe the process used to solve the problem, and verify the reasonableness of the solution.
  • 8.4.C Evaluate numerical expressions involving non-negative integer exponents using the laws of exponents and the order of operations.

Materials for Playing the Game:
Game Directions:
  • Students:
  1. Get out a pencil. Everything else should be put away.
  2. Next, you will be given a number between 2 and 9. (Teacher then rolls the dice to assign student groups a number).
  3. Once you have your number, you will then begin to create mathematical expressions that equal numbers 1-20. (View examples and/or provide students with examples).
  4. You must use your number four times in your expressions.
  5. You may use any math operation you know (e.g. adding, subtracting, multiplication, ect.) If you need help remembering operations of math that you have learned refer to PEMDAS.
  6. And remember NO CALCULATORS!!!
  7. Refer to your rules of the Order of Operations.

During Game Questions and/or Summary Game Questions:
Before: What do you know about the order of operations? What helps you to remember the order of operations?
During: What strategies do you have to come up with your mathematical expressions? Are there any particular numbers which are easier than others? What do you think makes a number easier to solve than another?
After: Do you have any suggestions of how this game can be altered? What did you like about this game? What did you not like about this game? What did you learn after playing this game? What does PEMDAS stand for? How does knowing the order of operations help you in this game?

Assessment Options:
An option to assess student learning is by individual assessment. The teacher can have them come up one at a time and in the same way are given a number (randomly by the roll of a die) and are then asked to use that number to come up with the answer of 10 (or another number, if preferred). The student can give the answer orally, or write it down on paper.
Another option is to have a competition against another student. Each student will have one opponent, the teacher will gave the same number to the entire class and each student will have to race their opponent by getting to the numbers 1 – 5. Once the student has done that they receive one point. Play can be continued to 3 points.

Extension Options:
This activity is intended to help students remember their order of operations, but it is also a good tool for helping them create and write out mathematical equations.
Some topics you might want to consider covering prior to the activity are:
  • Associative, Commutative and Distributive Property
  • Square Roots
  • Exponents